Monthly Archives: July 2020

Blog Pages for Bookies

You must visit the blog page for bookies if you want to stay on top of the latest industry news. PayPerHead247.com is a great website with information about the latest software for bookies, the latest tools, and even the latest sports stories, and when gambling may or may not turn to normal.

The world Is in weird times and the gambling world is no exception. Gamblers have been shut down. Sports gamblers have been shut down, bookies have been shut down all over the world and everyone involved has been hit hard. There are, however, a few exceptions that you must know about and pay attention to.

· With a pay per head such as PayPerHead247.com, you get all the bells and whistles that are necessary for starting a money-making gaming website. Follow them, turn to them, and read their blog posts’ educate yourself about the industry, find out what makes gamblers tick, find out what makes you tick! You are the boss of this operation and if you want some great advice and just a friendly path to walk down when thinking of new ideas, then you must visit

· Find out why bookies are choosing “pay per heads” to do business with. When we say “do business” we mean jumping in and starting a bookmaking business and taking it online. You can do this easily and quickly with the likes of PayPerHead247.com. They make this process a snap and they are affordable.

· Again, this is where the blogs come in handy. We encourage you to do your homework, but we also admonish you to find groups that are in the know about the pay per head, the industry at large, and what’s working right now. There is certainly a lot at stake. You need business – but do you need it at any cost?

· We encourage you to check out the PPH industry as a whole. What’s good about it, what’s not so good about it and what advantages does it offer the local bookie? You are probably a local bookie and you might be considering an online presence. This is smart and a must if you want to earn a nice income. Even in these times, you can earn a great income from online gamblers.

· The gamblers are still gambling, and they want any action they can get. They are bored, they are bummy because there are no sports to bet on right now. Sports are on the way back very soon. There will be a limited NHL season, MLB is set to play a 60-game season with a shortened playoffs. The NBA is set to return, and the football season is right around the corner. There will be what seems like a ton of sports to bet on! Of course, we know it will be nothing like it usually is, but we will take it! We want what we can get right now.

· The PPH does everything for you. They set the daily event on the sportsbook and you get the best user interface. The clients will love your vast wagering menu along with thousands of props, lotto, politics, and more. Once the sporting world comes back 100%, you will have every sport known to man.

· The casino is your cash cow. Don’t believe us, go onto any forum on the web, and find out what other bookies are saying. They will tell you how well the online casino is doing. They are making great money from the casino alone. The casino doesn’t lose – the sportsbook does.

· Sports gamblers have a wealth of information at their fingertips, and they can beat the bookie from time to time.in the casino, there is nothing to research, it’s all blind luck. You are the winner every time. Yes, the house always wins, in the casino.

Now is the perfect time to find a great pay per head. The best in the business such as PayPerHead247.com are offering “no pay”, “no sports no pay”. Now, is the best time to get in because you will be able to test the waters for free. They will get you rolling with a website and help you integrate your players if you have any. The process is quick and easy and your players can be playing in the casino and racebook in a day or two.

Is Poker a Sport or Gambling?

If you love soccer or baseball, it will take some convincing for you to start thinking about poker as some sporting activity, but those who cherish this game are extraordinarily strong in their belief that is a fact. They are reasoning that if chess or growing darts can be classified as a sport, that the poker should be in the same league with these activities. It is true that you cannot make millions of dollars by playing chess, but there are many similarities with it, as poker is also one form of mental activity that requires a certain skill level. It is competitive and popular across the globe and some would argue that one can bet while playing a game of darts just as during the regular poker session. There is a thin line between gambling and playing poker for fun and the game seems to be evolving in both directions at this moment.

Does it qualify as a sport?

Let’s take some look at what constitutes one activity as a sport and then we will try to conclude if poker meets these stipulations. Every sport has its celebrity stars who are worshiped around the world for their achievements, like Rafael Nadal or Michael Jordan, but so does the game of poker. Everybody knows about Phil Ivey, Doyle Bronson, and Daniel Negreanu plus they are treated like superstars who make millions in endorsement deals. Every sport has main events like World Cups of Masters tournaments but the poker has its world series where those best players meet to take home that big prize which grows larger every year. These events are televised and watched by fanatic fans all over the world who cheer for their favorite players.

We have the stars, we have the main events, endorsement deals, and worldwide broadcasting, so who can argue that playing poker is not some sporting activity that requires physical exertion? Another argument is the fact that we have so many professional players who play this game as their chosen profession. If professional basketball players are recognized as mainstream, then those who choose to play cards for a living should be recognized too. Playing tournaments is very exhausting, it requires hours of constant concentration and it is physically challenging. It sounds a lot like a sport to me, but some would argue that not many sports have the element of gambling embedded in their core.

Do other sports qualify as gambling?

It is true that poker requires both physical and mental abilities, but we can’t disregard the fact that it is a gambling activity featured in every casino on the planet. All the best casinos one can find online are racing to design the best poker rooms and provide the biggest bonuses for new players. For any gambling parlor to be dubbed as the safe casino, it needs to get some stellar reviews on best online casino and most of those depend on how solid is its poker games offer. All that is true, but every mainstream sporting activity is made an object of betting activity as you can put your money on virtually anything from boxing to hockey and table tennis matches. Every activity that has an element of competition can be bet on so this card game is no exception.

The competition is very fierce in Texas Hold’em and some professional players would compare it with going to war. Their goal is to destroy the other opponents and win that sweet jackpot at any cost. This game is brutal and reaching some pro-level requires years of practice and learning about reading people plus mastering the math behind it. Most other sports do not require such a deep understanding of human psychology but from a spectator’s perspective, they can become a source of betting income. That is if one possesses some masterful knowledge of each sport and can turn his passion into profit.

Every sport requires training

Pumping iron and going to the gym will get anyone in good shape and make those biceps and triceps ready for physical exhaustion required in professional sport. Becoming one renowned card player demands a different kind of practice which is more mentally orientated but equally effective. One needs to practice reading his opponents and predicting their moves, but he also needs to study Texas Hold’em statistics until he can calculate certain probabilities by memory. This is what it takes to be a pro and not just some casual player in an online casino who likes to play a few hands once in a while. Pro-level requires some commitment that can only be matched by professional football or baseball players who have that strong passion for their game.

What we are trying to say is that anyone can freely decide whether he will play this game for gambling purposes or move to the Ivy League and become a pro if he believes to possess proper skills. For casual players, this is just a game but for money-makers like Phil Ivy, this is definitely one ruthless sporting activity. Professionals like these have dedicated their life to sharpening their skills and they live very disciplined lives which require constant training and studying their opponents. Take a look at your skill level and figure in which group do you fit in. Maybe you are one prosperous young player or just a supporter who enjoys watching others play, just like you like watching the final of NBA Playoffs.

Conclusion

Whether one sees this game as a sport or a gambling activity it is clear that we are talking about one unique game that captures the hearts and minds of millions across the globe. It can be described as a mental athletic discipline by some and a pure casino trademark by others. Just do not be surprised if you see it at the next Olympics on a list of competing disciplines.

2019 MLB Season’s Key Numbers 

In every season, there are key numbers to keep in mind. For 2020, the key numbers for baseball bettors looking to capitalize on a historically short season (and technically, historically long postseason) need to be mindful of some of the biggest influencers of this year’s outcome.

While past performance is not indicative of future results, as they like to say, there’s another cliche that can serve sports bettors well when trying to make a profit off of the baseball diamond: Knowledge is power.

Here are the key numbers from 2019 that every bettor should be aware of going into the 2020 season.

FIND LIVE MLB GAME ODDS

943

Nine-hundred-forty-three stands for the number of runs scored by last year’s highest-scoring baseball team, the New York Yankees. Scoring is all the rage in modern times of MLB, with supposedly “juiced up” balls more than a silly term of phrase.

With the change to the physical make-up of the standard baseball, combined with the insane power and hitting of today’s batters, it’s no shock that a team full of sluggers, chiefly Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge, like the New York Yankees put up 943 runs.

This is an important stat to keep in mind, because if you’re looking for a team with some of the best odds to go deep in this year’s shallow, shortened season, the Yankees need to be at the top of your list.

Besides betting on their games (the Yanks are 2-1 after their opening series against the Nationals), you should be taking a look at their win totals, too.

Correlating their run-scoring with their potential for run generation against other squads is a prime recipe to profit. Often, if you can predict the number of runs a team scores, you can correlate it with the over-under, giving bettors a great opportunity to cash in.

Learn more about how rule changes affect betting on MLB in 2020.

1,554

No, we’re not talking about a year in history; we’re talking about the number of hits the Red Sox got last year. A league-leading 1,550-plus hits! Like their arch-rivals in the American League East, 1,554 is a number that should be noted because, like the Yankees, lots of hits equals lots of opportunities to score. It may be a year to be smart and find a trustworthy sports betting pick service.

The more hits, the higher your on-base percentage, and the higher your on-base percentage, the more likely you can convert those small ball dinks into runs scored. It’s not a shock that the Red Sox were in the top five for scoring in the entire league.

After dropping (surprisingly) two of their first three games this season to the lowly Baltimore Orioles, the Red Sox are still a must-bet team for the remainder of the season. Their slugger-laden lineup still deserves major credit despite losing star outfielder Mookie Betts to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

102

The difference in the number of games in the season from last year to this year is 102! The massive reduction in games played this season means that players have to be ready for a sprint.

With a 16-game postseason confirmed, it’s more important than ever that players remain prepared for the shock and awe that such a potentially tumultuous season might entail.

NBA Restart Preview

The NBA is back. The league has officially kicked-off its restart of the 2019-2020 season with warm-up exhibition games this week in Orlando, FL ahead of the first set of regular-season games on July 30th. The official restart will feature the Utah Jazz versus the New Orleans Pelicans followed by the marquee matchup between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers.

The league and its players have embraced the full restart and the many changes that have come with it. With the NBA bubble in full effect, the remainder of the 2019-2020 season will look a lot different.

What is different in the NBA Bubble?

There’s no question NBA games look and feel a bit different in Orlando, FL as a result of the coronavirus outbreak that’s plagued the nation and the rest of the world. For starters, there are zero fans in attendance and it will be that way for the rest of the season. Additionally, the league has put social distance measures into place inside the gyms so that players remain apart while sitting on the bench to help ensure safety.

Furthermore, there are only 22 teams finishing out the season. After the final set of warm-up games, the league will play out an 8 game regular season to finalize seeding for the playoffs. Once the playoff matchups are set, both conferences will play a full playoff schedule.

The scheduling and atmosphere are certainly different relative to a normal NBA schedule, however, many expect the competitiveness and play to be just as good, if not, better as the NBA Championship is anyone’s to claim.

The fans stand to benefit the most from the restart and the sense of urgency the abbreviated schedule yields. In addition, sports bettors are also eagerly awaiting the return of the NBA season, particularly bettors in Michigan. Michigan legalized sports betting (in-person) in December 2019, however, due to the coronavirus the state is planning to push up the launch of Michigan online sports betting to the fall, which would be just in time for the NBA playoffs.

When do the NBA Playoffs Begin?

The 16 team NBA playoff tournament will commence on August 17th with Game 7 of the NBA finals slated for no later than October 13th.

Before August, teams will need to finish out a miniature regular season to determine seeding, which may feature a play-in game for the 8th seed in each conference.

If a team with the 8th seed in its conference is 4 games or fewer ahead of the 9th seed, then the two teams will have to play each other in a sudden-death game to determine the 8th and final seed for the playoffs.

This addition adds a level of excitement for the teams and the fans and it accounts for the abbreviated season by allowing some of the teams who were on the playoff bubble a chance to compete for the 8th seed in such a short time frame. Below are all 22 franchises competing for the 2019-2020 NBA Championship.

Eastern Conference NBA Teams in Orlando

● Milwaukee Bucks
● Toronto Raptors
● Boston Celtics
● Miami Heat
● Indiana Pacers
● Philadelphia 76ers
● Brooklyn Nets
● Orlando Magic
● Washington Wizards

Western Conference NBA Teams in Orlando

● Los Angeles Lakers
● Los Angeles Clippers
● Denver Nuggets
● Utah Jazz
● Oklahoma City Thunder
● Houston Rockets
● Dallas Mavericks
● Memphis Grizzlies
● Portland Trail Blazers
● New Orleans Pelicans
● Sacramento Kings
● San Antonio Spurs
● Phoenix Suns

The rest of the NBA season will be on ESPN, TNT, and ABC depending on the day of the week and the particular games. TNT is scheduled to broadcast the first double-header on July 30th beginning at 6:30pm ET.

MLB Seattle Mariners at Houston Astros Betting Preview (Fri)

With baseball's long-awaited Opening Day finally here, two American League West foes will battle in the Lone Star State. The Houston Astros, coming off of a Game 7 loss in the World Series and a very eventful offseason, will host the rebuilding Seattle Mariners who are striving to make an upset.

Here is a preview of Friday's showdown between the Mariners and Astros, along with a free pick. Currently, Houston is a big favorite at -295 to win the game.

Mariners Outlook

Following a last place finish in 2019, the Mariners will be fighting hard to stay out of the cellar in 2020. But in a 60-game season, anything is possible, meaning that a young Seattle team has the chance of breaking out and making some noise.

In the lineup, you'll likely see longtime Mariner 3B Kyle Seager, along with the power-hitting DH Daniel Vogelbach. 2B Shed Long and SS J.P. Crawford form the double-play combo, while RF Kyle Lewis has shown some promise. CF Mallex Smith is also one of the best base-stealers in the game.

Marco Gonzales will be on the bump for the M's on Opening Day. The southpaw flashed durability and solid production last season, going 16-13 with a 3.99 ERA and 147 strikeouts in 203 innings. He faced Houston four times in 2019, three times on the road, earning a loss in each start but going five innings or more in each start as well.

Astros Outlook

Another division title almost led to the second World Series title in three seasons for the Astros. But the focus around Houston was the sign-stealing scandal that resulted in fines, the forfeiture of draft picks, and the firing of both manager A.J. Hinch and GM Jeff Luhnow. Now under new manager Dusty Baker, Houston will hope to put that behind them and win a championship once again.

The offense is still loaded, led by MVP runner-up 3B Alex Bregman. Joining the superstar in the infield is SS Carlos and 2B Jose Altuve, two perennial All-Stars as well. CF George Springer is a power-hitting lead-off man, while LF Michael Brantley and DH Yordan Alvarez help to provide additional bop to the lineup.

On the mound, Houston will hand the ball over to Justin Verlander. The reigning Cy Young winner led the league with a 21-6 record in 2019, while also ranking inside the top-five with a 2.58 ERA and 300 strikeouts. Verlander pitched five games against Seattle last season, winning all of them and putting up a quality start in all but one.

Injury Report

For the most part, the Mariners will have everyone available for the game this Friday. Only RP Yoshihisa Hirano and 2B Sam Haggerty are questionable for the start of the season. As for the Astros, they were dealt a potential blow when Altuve hurt his leg in an exhibition game and is now questionable for Opening Day. Alvarez is also questionable after a bout with COVID, while closer Roberto Osuna is out with a non-injury matter.

Prediction By GameAdvisers

The Astros are the overwhelming favorites because they're the overwhelmingly better team. Perhaps the Mariners are able to salvage a game this weekend or even with the series, but I expect Verlander to be on cruise control and deliver Houston their first win of the season.

Our number 1 rated pay per head Realbookies has the Astros -295.

Chicago Fire v. Vancouver Whitecaps FC Betting Preview

Group B of the MLS is Back Tournament ends Thursday with a 9:00 a.m. ET kickoff between the Chicago Fire and Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Both teams lost on Sunday night but Chicago can still finish second place in the group and advance to the knockout round with a win. The Fire would be in great position to advance as one of the top-four third place teams with a draw while Vancouver likely needs to win by three or more goals to have any chance to advance.

Being in opposite conferences these teams typically play just once a season and last year they drew in Chicago 1-1. The teams alternated wins in 2018 and 2017 whiel Vancouver took back-to-back wins in 2015 and 2016.

Chicago Fire Outlook: Go For Broke

Chicago fell flat Sunday night against San Jose in a 2-0 loss in which they had just 37% of the possession. Robert Beric and Luka Stojanovic both had shots on goal but the Fire didn’t appear as loose and confident as they were against Seattle Suonders earlier in the week. Kenneth Konholm made onesave in goal on three shots faced in the loss.

In their first tournament game Chicago upset Seattle 2-1 to move into second place in the group. Beric scored the opener in the 52nd minute and after Seattle equalized, Mauricio Pineda scored the game winner for the Fire in the 84th minute.

Chicago was originally supposed to be in Group A in this tournament before Nashville SC and FC Dallas withdrew with COVID outbreaks. In Group A they had +175 odds to qualify for the knockout round which were the fifth best odds in the original group. A win would give the Fire a second-place finish behind San Jose and a likely round of 16 matchup against Portland or LAFC.

Vancouver Whitecaps FC Outlook: Breakthrough

Vancouver had a fantastic first 70 minute of this tournament with a 3-1 lead over San Jose. In the 110 minutes since they have been outscored 6-0 with a 4-3 loss to San Jose and a 3-0 loss to Seattle. Those results leave Vancouver in last place in the group with zero points and a -4 goal differential, meaning they need a big win against Chicago and a lot of help to advance.

On Sunday night Vancouver was outshot by Seattle 17-8 and put just two shots on target. David Milinkovic had one of those shots and substitute Theo Bair had the other. Keeper Maxime Crepeau allowed three goals in the first 58 minutes and was removed for backup Thomas Hasal who made one save in the final half hour.

Vancouver benefitted from an own goal in the San Jose game while Ali Adnan Kadhim and Cristian Dajome also scored. Crepeau has allowed 10 goals in the Whitecaps four games this season with 11 saves. When the tournament began and FC Dallas was still in Group B, Vancouver was last of the four in odds to win the group at +750 and last in odds to qualify for the knockout round at +100.

Chicago Fire/Vancouver Whitecaps FC Betting Lines By Scoresandstats

Chicago Fire -158 to win

Vancouver Whitecaps +338 to win
Draw +320
Over/Under 2.5 goals (O -121, U -108)

Neither team looked good on Sunday night but the Fire have everything to play for in the Thursday morning tilt. They can surprise the league and the group by advancing to the knockout round and should be playing under a lot less pressure after falling to San Jose on Sunday.

Go to PayPerHead247.com and bet Chicago Fire to win (-158)

Biggest betting upsets in MLB

Everyone loves the underdog when it is not their team competing for the win and it is fair to say there have been some rather lucrative moments for those that have decided to take the plunge and place an inconceivable wager at some point.

MLB Betting is incredibly popular amongst sports bettors in the United States and with how some of the fixtures turned out that we’ve listed below, it is hardly a surprise as to why so many people look to get a taste of the action.

Here are just some of the biggest betting upsets in the history of MLB…

St. Louis Cardinals stun everyone in 2011

Perhaps one of the most unlikely stories in MLB history happened in 2011 when St. The Louis Cardinals beat odds of 999 to 1 to win the World Series.

The Cardinals were 4.5 games behind the Atlanta Braves for the Wild Card when Vegas traded bizarre odds. To be clear, the odds were listed as futures where cardinals had to win the World Series.

The Braves imploded in the last 15 games of the season with the Cardinals achieving a 11-4 record, which was good enough to win a Wild Card seat.

The World Series would then go on to produce one of the most memorable fall classics in baseball history, as St. Louis Cardinals somehow managed to overcome multiple final strikes in the series, winning it in seven games against the Texas Rangers.

Now for the big question, did anyone actually take the 999-1 odds for the Cardinals to win the World Series? Of course. A man pulled one of his bookmakers when he staked $ 250 on the Cardinals ahead of their marvelous run, which resulted in a payout of $ 250,000.

Washington Nationals at Minnesota Twins 2007

The Nats were only in their third season after leaving Montreal and would finish 16 games behind the Phillies in first place that season, but that didn't stop them from making a big surprise against Johan Santana. He had won Cy Young in two of the previous three seasons and would finish fifth in ballet in 2007, but Levale Speigner topped him in six innings that day.

Ryan Zimmerman provided all the Nationals' runs with a three-run homer off Santana in the third inning, and Chad Cordero shut the door in the ninth to secure the 3-1 victory. The Nats received just 26% of the bets that day, having been placed with odds of +395, but opposing gamblers who showed faith were rewarded.

Detroit Tigers pull of one of biggest shocks for years 2019 following Baltimore Orioles’ feat just weeks prior

The Detroit Tigers pulled off one of the biggest surprises of the 2019 MLB season on August 22 and stunned the betting markets in the process.

Facing Justin Verlander and the Houston Astros, the Tigers entered the game as +435 underdog ($100 bet wins $435) on Caesars Sportsbook. When Detroit pulled out a 2-1 victory, it became the MLB's biggest surprise in the past 15 years.

The Astros also set a record -560 to win ($560 bet wins $100), making them the biggest favorites in at least 15 years.

The Baltimore Orioles caused one of Major League Baseball's biggest upsets over the last 15 years on August 12, 2019.

The Orioles, who even had a +420 underdogs tag with some American bookmakers, beat Justin Verlander and Houston Astros 8-7.

Other notable big betting upsets to have happened in MLB

The Miami Marlins beat Clayton Kershaw and the Los Angeles Dodgers as +320 underdogs in the 2018 campaign.

The Astros, the World Series consensus favorites, were one of the biggest single-game favorites. They closed at -460 favorites in the Caesars Sportsbook, but up to -550 favorites could be found at Station Casinos' sportsbooks in Nevada.

Houston is the ninth favorite of -400 or more since 2005 and only the second to lose, joining the 2007 Twins. The Dodgers were -485 favorites against the Atlanta Braves in 2016. The high price on the Astros money line drove away many bettors in Caesars, where 89% of the tickets and 97% of the money were in the underdog Orioles.

MLB 2020 Opening Day Preview

This Thursday, July 23rd is Opening Day 2020 for Major League Baseball. It will feature two marquee matchups. The first, which kicks-off at 7:08pm ET, features the New York Yankees versus the Washington Nationals at and the second features the San Francisco Giants versus the Los Angeles Dodgers at 10:08pm ET. Both games are on ESPN.

Historically, the league and its fans look forward to the tradition of Opening Day and while there is excitement this week it’s hard to ignore the fact that this year’s Opening Day is going to look a lot different.

What is different about Opening Day 2020?

The impact of COVID-19 is going to be noticeable during Opening Day and the remainder of the MLB season for that matter. For one, this year’s Opening Day will not feature any fans in attendance, which was a large point of contention during the negotiations between the league and MLBPA.

In addition, the timing is extremely delayed. If you recall, we were once on par to have baseball start in March – it’s now July. As such, the beginning of the season will take place during the part of the calendar that is normally referred to as the dog days of summer or the period of the season after the All-Star break.

Also, a few new rules have been introduced for the 2020 season, including a universal designated hitter. Thus, we may see more offense during this year’s Opening Day and throughout the season.

With the universal designated hitter in place, no one stands to win more than the fans, who typically value offense over dominant pitching. Additionally, with the expected trend of more offense this season it wouldn’t be surprising to see more sportsbooks adjust their lines and over/under bets to account for more runs.

Needless to say, fans, sportsbooks, and sports bettors are eagerly awaiting the arrival of the abbreviated 2020 MLB season. Particularly sports bettors in Colorado, as Colorado online sports betting launched in May, however, the residents haven’t had many majors sports to wager on at sites like Draftkings Colorado and BetRivers Colorado during the ongoing pandemic. July 23rd will kick-off what many expect to be an action-packed MLB season.

Opening Day for the rest of the MLB

Once the July 23rd games are in the books, we’ll be on our way to crowning a World Series champion in 2020. On Friday, July 24th the rest of the teams will start their season. In addition to it only being 60 games, there are a few other schedule changes to note.

Teams will play two-thirds of their games against teams in their division, and then the remaining one-third against teams in geographically corresponding divisions in the opposite league. Below is a complete list of Opening Day games with sports betting odds.

Thursday, July 23rd

Yankees (-1.5 +122) at Nationals (+1.5 -144) at (7:08pm ET, ESPN)
Giants (+1.5 +120) at Dodgers (-1.5 -142) at (10:08pm ET, ESPN)

Friday, July 24th

Braves (+114) at Mets (-129) at (4:10pm ET, ESPN)
Tigers (+160) at Reds (-182) at (6:10pm ET, MLB Network)
Blue Jays (+148) at Rays (-167) at (6:40pm ET)
Marlins (+175) at Phillies (-205) at (7:05pm ET)
Royals (+195) at Indians (-230) at (7:10pm ET)
Brewers (+117) at Cubs (-132) at (7:10pm ET, ESPN)
Orioles (+170) at Red Sox (-195) at (7:30pm ET)
Rockies (+123) at Rangers (-139) at (8:05pm ET)
Twins (+102) at White Sox (-117) at (8:10pm ET)
Pirates (+165) at Cardinals (-195) at (8:15pm ET)
D-backs (+114) at Padres (-129) at (9:10pm ET)
Mariners (+245) at Astros (-286) at (9:10pm ET)
Angels (+130) at Athletics (-148) at (10:10pm ET)

How the online gambling industry took off during the pandemic

Slowly but surely the global coronavirus pandemic is tailing off after months of catastrophic disruption. The disease has swept the globe, changing how countries operate and how ordinary people live. But, one industry which has seemingly profited from the pandemic has been the online gambling industry.

Whilst the brick-and-mortar gambling establishments have faced closures and continued stress due to the halt in all of the world’s major sporting leagues, the online world went from strength-to-strength. Naturally, as so many of us sat at home with little to focus on, the online environment became more of interest than ever before. Many newcomers flooded online to try and find their ideal place to play, with many sites offering new players exciting bonuses such as free bet no deposit to spark their curiosity.

As newcomers discovered the entertaining highs of online gambling, a plethora of seasoned players have used the time at home to hone their skills. But, just how has the pandemic provided a boon for the online gambling world?

Online casino games on the rise

As sports betting was on hold for a good few months, many of those players searched for new forms of gambling in what were unprecedented and restricted times whilst more newcomers flocked to the click of a button. Though online slots and poker participation numbers were up by 25% and 38% respectively, overall gambling revenues decreased as online gaming numbers ballooned.

A lot of this was down to the fact that seasoned players were experimenting with new ways to entertain themselves online. And, with people having to stay at home for longer periods than perhaps they ever had in their lives before, online gambling was an easy way to enjoy that spare time, especially with the increasingly impressive mobile smartphones that are being developed.

How the pandemic changed global markets forever

Traditional gamers apparently flocked to the online gambling market as a way of alleviating the loss of sports betting. That boredom experienced during lockdown led to the number of new online casino players increasing exponentially.

US online betting tends to revolve around the markets provided by New Jersey and Pennsyvlania whose revenue increases suggests that the industry can outlast the pandemic.

Therefore, whilst the pandemic crashed stock markets globally, online gambling companies were the ones increasing in value.

Will those newcomers continue online gambling – who knows? If they do though, online gambling will have been boosted in an incredible manner during heartbreaking times.

The NBA to resume in July and end in October

As the sporting world aims for some kind of normality in the upcoming months, one of those sports that has been upturned by the pandemic is basketball. The 2019-20 NBA season was postponed on March 11 because of the situation, but it’s not all doom and gloom with the planning for a restart well underway.

On June 4, the NBA’s Board of Governors approved a competitive format for the NBA to resume its season with 22 teams returning and a start date of July 30. That means that for those who have missed their sporting fix and their betting flutters, that will no longer be the case come the end of the month. So, as the resumption draws ever nearer, take advantage of the NBA picks and parlays that will be coming in thick and fast and get ready for the Finals in October.

What was in the plan?

The plan put in place by the Board of Governors on June 4 was finalized by the NBA and National Basketball Players Association on June 26.

Stringent health and safety protocols were included with a single-site campus at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. The overall goal is to take collective action in a bid to combat systemic racism and promote social justice.

As well as that, the NBA and Disney have come to an arrangement that will see the Arena, the Field House and Visa Athletic Center at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex the venues for all remaining games of the season with no fans in attendance.

How did they choose the teams competing?

The 22 teams that will participate in the season will be the eight teams in each conference that have the highest current winning percentages and the six teams that are currently within six games of the eighth seed in either conference.

How will the format look?

Each team will play eight “seeding games”, selected from the regular-season fixtures. Following that, the seven teams in each conference with the highest combined winning percentages across regular-season games and seeding games will have the honour of being the first to to the seventh seeds of the NBA playoffs for that conference.

If the team with the eighth-best combined winning percentage in a conference is more than four games ahead of the team with the ninth-best combined winning percentage from the same conference, then the former would be the eighth playoff seed. However, if that side is four games or fewer ahead of the team in ninth then those two sides will compete in a play-in tournament to decide the eighth seed.

The NBA’s standard playoff tiebreaker procedures will come into play if the winning percentage is the same. The NBA playoffs will then proceed in the usual conference-based format once the 16-team playoff field has been found with four rounds and a best-of-seven series in each round. And, the NBA Finals will end no later than October 13.

It appears as though the NBA has got everything planned out to the fine detail. Let’s just hope that the pandemic will not dash the intricately-made plans.